Month: May 2008

Craig was this year’s team leader. He describes his feelings about the trip

Personally, if I could describe my experience in one word, that word would be “humbling.” Here’s why: The “suffering” I endure in life is nothing compared to what the hurricane victims endured and continue to endure. I come from a very stable family, I own a house, have a steady job, make a decent salary, drive two reliable cars, eat three meals a day, and sleep in my own bed every night. The Hurricane Katrina victims, with what little they have, are still trying to rebuild homes, relationships and a sense of normalcy. Others have relocated to other parts of the country with hopes of starting anew like the woman we met at the Gulfport/Biloxi airport who was on her way back to a new home in Iowa. So, I find it difficult to complain about any of my “sufferings.” I hope to now have a new perspective and thank God more often in my circumstances.

Also, as a Christian, I feel somewhat ashamed that I can’t/don’t put in as much time serving the community as many people I met in Mississippi that aren’t Christians. We met people that paid their own way and drove 14 hours straight just to serve the needy, working in the same conditions and with equal vigor as our team. And, they probably didn’t have hundreds of people undergirding their trip with prayer. Though I am grateful for the support of my family, friends and church, I didn’t have to put out a single cent to get there. So, it was fairly easy for me to go to Biloxi, Mississippi and work with a team (and a fine one at that) building framing components for Habitat for Humanity. I hope I would still choose to go even if I had to pay my own way.

Thanks. God bless you.
Craig

Tommy, a veteran from ’07 and ’08, was co-leader of this year’s team. Maybe more importantly, he was the escort for DC Hammer

I brought DC Hammer down to Biloxi hoping to pound many nails in honor of my friend and last year’s team leader Dennis Cho. Tuesday morning as we started to assemble top and bottom plates of wall sections, I hammered a few nails more concerned about accuracy than honor. After settling in to a routine, I paused and lifted a prayer for my friend. It felt good as I imagined that each blow was somehow killing a cancer cell. After a few more honorary blows, DC suddenly changed. Here I was using a hammer to pound nails to honor my friend, hoping to Defeat Cancer. But wasn’t it a hammer that drove the nails into Jesus’ hands and feet? DC became the Death of Christ. It was surreal for a while as I hammered nails visualizing Jesus outstretched hands and realizing it was because of my sin that Jesus had to be nailed to the cross. After remembering that Jesus resurrected on that Easter morning, DC became the Deity of Christ.

Every morning, this year’s team leader, Craig Kakihara, led us in a devotion (more DC’s – Devoted Craig, Dutiful Craig, Dependable Craig and Dedicated Craig). I appreciated the devotions and the authority with which he delivered them – authority that comes from speaking forth the Word of God. He reminded us that if we are Devoted to Christ, then there should be Deeds for Christ. These deeds should not only be physical (like building houses) but also in sowing seeds that will lead to Decisions for Christ.

So all of this pretty well summarizes this year’s experience down in the Gulf Coast. I began with a single idea and God redeemed and multiplied it beyond what I could think or imagine. DC began with my wanting to honor a friend and it ended up blessing me beyond measure. It reminded me that God is good and Definitely Compassionate and God is great and Divinely in Control.

I was truly blessed to be led on these two trips by two very good friends. To see them put themselves out there for God’s use was very inspirational. I was humbled and privileged to realize that God has allowed me to be a part of their life, a life which they are living fully for Him.

Humbled, grateful and privileged,
Tommy

Paul “V-Neck” Liu reflects on this last week…

As our time winds down here in Biloxi, I’ve had some time to reflect back on our experiences tonight. The one word that keeps coming to my mind is fortunate”. I am fortunate to be here to serve, to be able to eat the food they provide me, to sleep in a trailer with 16 other guys, hanging out in the makeshift living area under the concrete stadium bleachers, to be able to get blisters on my feet, sunburn on my body, sore muscles, and everything else that has happened during this great week. I am fortunate because this experience has made me realize even more how short life is and how important it is to make a difference in our limited time here on earth. One volunteer named Keith shared yesterday that we all have a beginning and end point represented by birth and death in this life, however, it’s the line in between that really counts in this life and what you do with it.

I just also read about Millard Fuller who was the founder of Habitat in the late 60s in a book tonight. He was a millionaire at the age of 29 but eventually sold everything he owned and gave the money to the poor. He started Habitat with the thought of “partnering housing” where those in need of homes would work side-by-side with volunteers to build simple, decent homes. This crazy idea has turned into a successful venture where they have housed over 100,000 families worldwide. It’s amazing what God can do through one person’s life.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support.

God Bless,
Paul

Be very careful then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.. -Ephesians 5:15,16a

Steve Chen and his thoughts about his work here in Biloxi….

The Katrina team (known as Evergreen team here in Biloxi, Mississippi) has been staying at Habitat Village’s sleeping quarters. We walk on gravel paths to the barracks. Since the 1st day we got here, I noticed that there were oyster shells on & by the gravel. I didn’t think anything of it. Then I was perplexed as to the reason for the oyster shells being there since the Village is about 3/4 mile away from the beach. I soon realized that these oyster shells came from the ocean during the Katrina hurricane. How unusual to gather shells off of grass, pebbles and walkways.

Reflecting upon this scene, I felt that the 10 of us on the team is analogous to the oyster shells, OUT-OF-PLACE. We are OUT-OF-PLACE because we’re from California & are here in Mississippi. Although Katrina caused devastation here in the Gulf Coast, there has been waves of assistance/aid in the form of supplies & manpower to help in the recovery process. People from all walks of life from college-age students to retirees have been moved to make a difference in the recovery process. God is good.

The shattered lives/families of the Gulf Coast now may call out to God for help. With nothing left God saved victims by providing for people’s needs. He rescued them from near death & now they have renewed lives. From a spiritual perspective, we all should of drowned in our wrong doing (cesspool of sin), but Jesus saved us by sacrificing Himself on the cross for us so that we may live in abundance. God is good.

The survivors’ hearts filled w/ thankfulness. Remembering the frailty of our lives here on earth & it is only through God’s grace & mercy that we take our next breath. The destroyed bridge near by has been replaced by a new one. Jesus also build a spiritual bridge for us to be able to have a relationship w/ him. God is good.

The pulverized commercial & residential structures are being rebuilt with even more pride, security and beauty. The priceless & irreplaceable material possessions are replaced with less earthly emotional attachments, but turned towards heavenly things & eternity. God is good.

Furthermore, events like the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project next week is like the pearl that was washed up (see photo). Next week due to the project, there will be national attention/coverage placed upon the needs of the un-recovered, un-restored Gulf Coast which President Carter & the first lady will use to impart to the masses, pearls of wisdom that people effected by Katrina still need extensive assistance. Thus, if we are imparted the spiritual pearl, then we can acknowledge that God is our Lord & Savior and we can have eternal life. God is good.